Thomas the Tank, the plucky little blue train engine, is the star of books and tv shows and the favorite toy of many kids. Fans can actually ride on a train pulled by Thomas: every year, Thomas engines visit dozens of heritage railways for "A Day Out With Thomas" special rides.
In 2010, Thomas will welcome more than one million passengers on board in the US and Canada, during a Celebration Tour for the 65th birthday of "Thomas and Friends". Continue to details about the tour, and some Thomas the Tank history...
"Day Out With Thomas" - Thomas The Tank Engine Pulls Trains at 45 Heritage Railways
2010 is the 65th birthday of "Thomas and Friends", and kids and their families will have 45 opportunities to ride a heritage train pulled by a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine.
These "Day Out With Thomas" special rides at heritage railroads launched in the United States in 1996 and are now in their 15th year. 2010 is a Celebration Tour, marking the 65th anniversary of the publishing of the Thomas the Tank books.
In 2010, the Tour will call "All aboard!" at more than 45 heritage railroads From March to October, and welcome more than one million passengers.
The experience will vary at different railways. For example: kids will make birthday cards for Thomas, participate in themed activities -- such as arts and crafts-- at the Imagination Station; have a photo op with Sir Topham Hat.
See Day Out With Thomas for a full schedule. Typically a Thomas engine makes a visit of two or three weekends at each heritage railroad. For example: April 23 - 25 and May 1 - 2 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad, in Chattanooga TN; May 8-9 and 15-16 at the Essex Steam Train in Essex CT; July 23-27 and July 29- Aug 1 at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad; June 18-20 at Durango & Silverton RR in Durango CA.
Thomas also makes a few appearances in Canada: in Calgary, for instance, at the Heritage Park Historical Village, May 8-9 and 15-16, and in June at the West Coast Railway in Squamish BC.
Thomas The Tank - History
Read more about Thomas and Friends, including history about the train-loving author of the Thomas books, Reverend W. Awdry, who made up the first story about three train engines when his son, Christopher, was in bed with measles. The first book was published in 1945. Reverend Awdry also made Christopher a wooden toy engine for Christmas that year; that toy was Thomas, and soon the Reverend made up stories about Thomas as well. Rev Awdry wrote a book for "The Railway Series" every year until 1972; nearly all the stories were based on real train events. Later, Christopher himself wrote fifteen more books.
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
I am interested in the tours with Thomas the Train.So many of the students that i work with love thomas the Train. One of the parents here at the center i work at has been looking to take his son on the train ride. We are looking for a tour that can come to the St.Louis area or Missouri area. Please e-mal me at the above addresss for that information.
Thank You